Three students from the Bridges Virtual Academy in Merrill were honored as American History Essay contest winners of the Ah Dah Wa Gam Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Elizabeth Hagemeister (grade 8), Ruth Mile (grade 6), and Grace Hagemeister (grade 5), all of Merrill, were honored as part of the Ah Dah Wa Gam Chapter Annual Meeting and Youth Recognition held at the Laird Center for Medical Research in Marshfield, WI on April 13.
The American History Essay Contest is sponsored by the National Society DAR and is open to students in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8. The 2012-2013 topic focused on “the often unrecognized people and groups who provided military, patriotic, and public service in support of the American Revlolution.” Judging for the American History Essay contest is based on historical accuracy, adherence to the topic, organization of material, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation and neatness. All three of the essays representing the ADWG chapter were forwarded to the Wisconsin State American History chairman for judging at the state level. Both Elizabeth Hagemeister and Ruth Mile won the state competition for their grade level and will be honored at the Youth Award Luncheon on May 4 in conjunction with the Wisconsin Society DAR State Conference in Stevens Point. Their essays will be judged for the national competition at the district level and from there, district level winners will be sent to the national chairman. The national chairman will select a national winner at each grade level.
Ruth Mile is the daughter of John and Shana Mile of Merrill. Elizabeth and Grace Hagemeister are daughters of John and Michelle Hagemeister of Merrill. All three students were coached by Hayley Schoeppler, of Merrill, who is a former DAR American History Essay contest national winner.